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'Loveable rogue' Paul's family ripped apart by tragic deaths

A MAN who died after he was found unconscious in the street lost one brother in a brutal knife attack and his other brother died of cancer as a child.

Paul Eugene Green, of Adelphi Court, Barrow, was found lying unconscious in Penrith Street, Barrow, at around 12.45am on Thursday.

The 44-year-old was taken to Furness General Hospital but died on Friday afternoon.

For Mr Green’s family, his death is the latest in a string of tragedies.

His brother Barry was stabbed to death in Barrow Park in November 1999. Barry’s killer, Paul Duncan, was jailed for six years, reduced from an initial nine-year sentence by the judge – a decision which devastated the family at the time.

Some years earlier, Mr Green’s other brother, David, died from leukaemia aged 11. The boys’ mum, Carol Irish, died around four years ago, and their dad, Barry Senior, is battling cancer.

Their aunt, Gloria Rooney, told the Evening Mail she was “like a second mother” to Mr Green and says her family has been ripped apart.

Mrs Rooney, mother to Mr Green’s cousins Michael, 35, and Kerri, 33, said: “We were like one big family, but there’s only my two left now.

“It’s been tragic right through. I don’t know where the bad luck has come from.

“The way that it gets you – when you’re trying to sleep, you can’t because everything runs through your mind. Me and Michael, we’re basically drinking tea and smoking and just talking about him, because he was so funny.”

Mrs Rooney, 57, said Mr Green had been released following a two-month prison sentence, in the past two weeks.

She said he was “getting his act together” and working hard on his new flat.

Mrs Rooney, of Cheviot Green, Barrow, said: “I last saw him at 5.30pm on Wednesday.

“He was just his normal self. I left him at the bus stop. He’d just got a new flat and had been decorating it and he was in high spirits.

“Next thing, I was woke up at 4.30am and they told me they had found him (injured at the scene).”

Mrs Rooney said Mr Green’s life support was turned off at 4.45pm on Friday.

His family was told he was brain dead when first admitted but doctors had to exhaust all tests.

Mr Green was a former Alfred Barrow and Cambridge Primary School pupil and worked in the Grange Hotel, in Grange, during his 20s.

Mrs Rooney said he used to have a scooter which was “his pride and joy” and had a flair for drawing.

She added: “He was a nuisance, like them all. He was daft as a brush at times and he could annoy people with his silliness.

“But really, it was the tragedy of his brothers, and especially Barry getting stabbed to death, and then his mam dying, that got to him. That took its toll.

“Then with my mam dying as well seven years ago, his nanna – it’s been death after death. Nobody can believe it.”

A Barrow Island man who knew Mr Green and his brother Barry, but did not wish to be named, said: “Paul was a good lad – a sort of loveable rogue.

“He was harmless – a quiet lad. I knew his brother, Barry, for about 25 years and he was a lovely lad.”

A neighbour of Mrs Rooney’s, who also asked not to be named, said of Mr Green: “He always said hi. He was very friendly.

“He was always one who comes up to you and start a conversation and say ‘Hiya, how are you? All right?’”

Andrew John Logan, 42, of Rawlinson Street, Barrow, has been charged with manslaughter and appeared before Furness Magistrates Court on Monday.

A 29-year-old man, also arrested in connection with the investigation, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Qazi said: “This is a complex investigation into the circumstances that have led to the tragic death of Paul Green.

“As a result of the intensive enquiries we have charged a man with the manslaughter of Mr Green.

“The investigation is continuing and I would again urge anyone who has information about the movements of Mr Green to contact Barrow CID.

“I am particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen or heard Mr Green in the Mercer Street or Penrith Street area of Barrow.

“I would also like to state that our thoughts are with the family of Mr Green during this difficult time and we continue to offer them support.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrow CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Have your say

I went to school with Paul and as teenagers we spent many fun times together. I knew both his brothers too. Although I hadn't seen Paul since leaving school I pften thought about him. Very sad news, and my thought go out to his remaining family.

Posted by sheryl on
8 May 2012 at 15:18

I went to ST Pius school with David and also knew Barry. I send my thoughts to the family.